Safe hands

Our recent Zoom was again well attended, with Anne and Liz on board to tell us about their roles and what they do for us. They gave us an eye opening insight to their training and experience, which over the years adds up to nothing less than unique skill sets and capabilities impossible to replicate without 30+ years dedication, determination and hard graft.  

But to be fair, all of us gain knowledge and experience throughout our lives and get good at what we do, so we can especially appreciate the levels of expertise Anne, Liz and their colleagues have, after working in the NHS for three decades or more. Here's a snapshot of some of the things Anne and Liz do in their respective roles:

Anne-Margrethe Phillips, Senior UGI Specialist Nurse
Role and responsibilities

• First point of contact for patients and families
• Coordination and continuity of care
• Provide information, advice and 1:1 support
• Patient advocate - represents wishes
• Liaison between all disciplines/departments, Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings
• Liaison with primary care, including community palliative care, and referring hospitals
• UGI team and ward support, role model, orientation of new staff and new Specialist Nurses
• Resource for nursing and medical staff, formal and informal teaching
• Development: mandatory training, study days, courses and conferences, Webinars.

• UGI Dietetic Clinical Lead 
• Support patients from diagnosis with specialist dietary issues and needs
• Support patients having radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy and prehabilitation ahead of surgery 
• Developing support for patients in recovery and for the longer-term 
• Liaison between departments, attend Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings
• Resource to other Dietetic teams, in house and in surrounding counties
• Lead on recruitment, teaching of medical and nursing staff, dietetic student training
• Study:  mandatory training, study days, courses and conferences, webinars (both Dietetic and Surgical)

Knowing they've got what it takes is a great source of comfort and confidence, we're definitely in safe hands!

Zooming 2023

Our next zoom session will be on Tuesday 3rd January 2023, starting as usual at 7pm.  It's possible we will have a very eminent guest speaker joining us, to talk about the latest most innovative treatments for oesophageal and stomach cancers, including immunotherapy. To Be Confirmed in our next newsletter.  

Whatever the format, it'll be another good session, so please make a note to dial in. If you're not already on our regular zoom invitees list just drop me a line here and we'll get you signed up.

Cafe Catch Up

Our next catch-up will be at Dobbies Garden Centre, just off the A419 on the eastern side of Swindon, coming up soon on Tuesday 6th December at 12:30, for a light lunch or just a coffee. I hope you can make it - drop me a line if you'd like to join us. So far we have a group of 12 signed up but there's room for more.

After Dobbies, we'd like to arrange catch ups in the Marlow and Banbury areas - then back to Oxford - watch this space! Please let me know your preferred garden centre cafe in these locations, just drop me a line here, and we'll set one up.

And finally

2023 Motivations Reminder - Pete Adams, photographer and supporter of OOSO has again very kindly produced a lovely 2023 calendar titled 'motivations', with a share of the proceeds to be donated to OOSO. He only has 10 calendars remaining so please drop him a line ASAP.

At a very reasonable price of £11 per calendar plus post and packaging (approx £1 - £2), if you're interested please email Pete a line on adamsmk@btinternet.com and he'll send you your 2023 motivations.